Video: Rossi rides Ducati

OMG, OMG, OMG, it’s finally happened! Earlier today, Valentino Rossi put in his first laps on a Ducati Desmosedici at Valencia. The purpose of this two-day test is to help Ducati determine whether to run a screamer or big bang engine configuration on the GP11.

Update: Rossi was eighth fastest in today's test, his best lap was 1.8 seconds behind Lorenzo's.

Photo: Grant Ray

“We have to decide the kind of engine we will use next year. To do that it’s necessary to compare the two types,” Filippo Preziosi, the general manager of Ducati Corse, told MotoGP.com. “Unfortunately that means we can’t just work on one bike to get the best set-up in order to achieve the best lap time. This is a problem for the rider because it matters to them when they are competing with the other riders, they always want to get the best time! We will ask Valentino to help us with that.”

Preziosi said they’ll also be testing a new fairing and fork over the two-day test. Rossi is scheduled to complete the test at 11am EST, hopefully we’ll be able to bring you more quotes then.